Sevens: Bay found lacking in mongrel stakes

Billy Ropiha is tackled by a Northland defender during yesterday's Bowl final. Photo / NZME

Where was the aggression and necessary size at the breakdown?

This question had to be asked after the Aerospread Ltd Hawke's Bay team's disappointing finish at the National Sevens tournament which finished in Rotorua yesterday. The Tafai Ioasa-coached side, which travelled north as the second seeds, lost 17-10 to Northland in the Bowl final.

A lack of mongrel and size was often exposed as Hawke's Bay won the Central Zone tournament in Levin last month. Ioasa and his assistant Danny Lee could have done with a Trent Boswell-Wakefield or a Tony Lamborn. However these vital changes weren't made and the Bay was beaten regularly in the physicality stakes at the weekend.

Two poor kickoffs and some soft defence saw the Bay lose their first pool game 21-15 against Taranaki on Saturday. They lost 10-7 to Wellington before finishing pool play with a 26-19 win against Otago.

There was improvement against weaker opponents yesterday with Hawke's Bay beating South Canterbury 28-12 in their Bowl quarter-final and Tasman 24-17 in their semifinal. Against Northland, Hawke's Bay had the bulk of possession and territory but couldn't capitalise as often as they should have. On the few occasions Northland ventured into the Bay's half they scored.

"It wasn't the result we wanted. Improved accuracy on attack and defence will be keys for the future," Hawke's Bay manager David Russell lamented.

"At the same time we had a tough pool and the boys gave it their all."

Russell agreed speedster Mason Emerson had some impressive patches and co-captain Billy Ropiha was tireless. He pointed out three-quarters of the team were playing at their first nationals and with Emerson, Jonah Lowe, Kaleb Whakataka and Marino Mikaele-Tu'u all under 20, there are promising signs for the future. Russell added the coaching staff are keen to be involved again next summer.

Counties-Manukau beat North Harbour 54-14 in the Cup final. Hawke's Bay's Laurae Blake and Krysten Duffill played for the Manawatu team that beat Wellington 26-19 in the Women's Cup final.